A coalition of global philanthropies announced the launch of the Beginnings Fund, a new philanthropic initiative committed to accelerating maternal and newborn survival across Africa.  

With a focus on sustainability and local ownership, the Beginnings Fund will work in partnership with African governments, national organizations, and experts to prevent over 300,000 deaths and enhance access to quality care for 34 million mothers and babies by 2030.  

 The establishment of the Beginnings Fund is part of a joint philanthropic commitment of nearly $600 million for maternal and newborn survival, including $100 million in direct funding for initiatives that further the Beginnings Fund’s mission. This joint commitment was enabled by a major grant from the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity that unlocked matched funding from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, Delta Philanthropies, The ELMA Foundation, Gates Foundation, joined by funding from Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, Patchwork Collective, and others.